Sato found himself blindfolded and bound in the back of a car, with Hikari beside him, a reassuring hand on his lap. Her bodyguards drove in silence until Hikari's voice broke the quiet.
"So, umm, are you enjoying the road trip?" she asked.
Sato scoffed. "Well, let's see. My hands are tied, I can't see or move, and I don't know where I'm heading. There's no difference between this and kidnapping, so you tell me."
Ren, one of the bodyguards, rolled his eyes. "At least we left your mouth open."
"Or unconscious," Ryo added.
"Don't worry, we're almost there," Hikari interjected. "I promise once we get out, I'll immediately untie you."
Minutes later, the car pulled up to Hikari's house. Kenji, Hikari's butler, approached the car. "My princess, you can't just be going out! What if the boss found—" He stopped, confused, seeing Hikari untying Sato. "My princess, who is that?"
"This is the guy I've been telling you about," Hikari replied.
Kenji tried to remember, then it clicked. "Wait, him? I thought you were joking!"
As Hikari finally removed the ropes and tape, Sato stepped out. Kenji's voice filled with panic. "My princess, you know our current state. You can't be dating right now! Most of your time would be at home!"
Hikari, unconcerned, had made her decision. "Look, Kenji, my mind is already made up. Now, I'll be with him up in my room. Don't spy on me, bother me, or threaten him, okay? Now, let's go." She walked away.
Kenji frowned at Sato, who quietly followed Hikari inside. Kenji then turned to the other bodyguards. "You two, you were supposed to keep an eye on her! What the f-ck is wrong with you?"
Ren shrugged. "Don't you think you're over-exaggerating? You, I, and everyone knows how much she's been waiting for this moment, so just cut her some slack. I don't like the guy either, but as long as he makes the princess happy, I don't really care. And there's no need to be suspicious about him; that kid couldn't hurt a fly if he wanted to."
"Yeah," Ryo added with a smirk. "Just step too close to him with a frown, and this kid would literally do anything you ask."
Kenji took a heavy breath. "Fine, but if things go south, you guys got her, right? Now that the princess has returned, every inch of this place is armed to the T, so you guys should get yourselves busy. The princess's safety comes first." The bodyguards smiled and saluted.
Inside, as Hikari and Sato walked through a lavish hallway, Sato cautiously asked, "Umm, just a quick question: Is your dad around? Just curious."
"No, he hasn't been home for more than two days now, and I doubt he'll be coming anytime soon," Hikari replied. Sato felt a wave of relief. Oh thank God, my chances of making it out alive have increased Sato thought.
Hikari continued, a hint of sadness in her voice, "He always does this. If he faces a great Mafia threat or other Mafia business, he immediately puts me on lockdown."
"Don't you feel worried about him when he goes to war or gets involved in this?" Sato asked.
"He does it all the time, so I've gotten used to it. There's nothing you can throw at my dad that would put him down. Plus, you should see him when he's training—he moves like a ninja!" Hikari said with a proud smile.
"So, do you also know how to fight like your dad?" Sato inquired.
Hikari giggled. "No way! My mom wouldn't let me. She said learning how to fight would do a number on my nails, so I held back."
"Mom?" Sato questioned.
Hikari looked down. "Yeah. Normally, I wasn't bothered when Dad would leave the house because Mom was always there with me to keep me company. And anytime Dad came back covered in blood, he and my mom would argue all night. My mom would tell him he should stop this Mafia business before she leaves him, but he'd say he was too deep to get out even if he wanted to.
"Then one day, I woke up ready to play with my mom, but she wasn't in her room. She was gone. Everyone looked for her, including my dad, but no one could find her. Finally, she was spotted dead on a road. As she was escaping from home, one of a Mafia gang ran her over. I didn't know what to say. Losing Mom was losing all the love I had before I met Sakura. I mean, I don't even know my dad at all, and he protects me, yes, but he doesn't show me love."
Sato's expression softened with pity. "That must be rough."
"How about your family?" Hikari asked.
Sato was startled by the question. "I'm sorry, but I can't give that out."
Hikari looked even sadder. "Yeah, it's okay. I understand why."
Trying to cheer her up, Sato said, "This is a beautiful house." They approached an elevator. Hikari remained silent as she pressed the button for her room, and the doors closed, ascending. The elevator was quiet, Hikari's sadness still palpable. Sato, unsure what to say, remained quiet too.
They finally reached her room. Hikari sat on her bed, hugging a pillow, while Sato stood near the wall, surveying the room. I'm in a Mafia princess's room. I should be freaking out right now, but for some reason, I feel bad for making her relive that tragedy.
"Nice settings, you really nailed the design," Sato said, attempting to lighten the mood again, but it wasn't working. Hikari remained silent. Sato tried to speak again, but Hikari interrupted.
"Look, I know you don't want to be here. I get it. You can go if you want, and I promise no bodyguard would get involved or anyone would threaten you. I'm used to people not wanting to stay around me, so I can tell."
Sato's eyes widened as he thought. I could leave now, and this nightmare could end. But why? Why am I bent on seeing her smile one more time? Why do I care so much? God damnit! Sato's body trembled as he gritted his teeth, then took a deep breath.
"Could you take me to your nearest kitchen, please?" Sato asked.
Hikari sat up, confused. "Yeah, I can, but why?"
"Just take me there first," Sato insisted.
Hikari stood from her bed. "Fine." She led him to the kitchen, then asked, "Now that you're here, why did you want me to take you here?"
Sato pulled out a large butcher knife. "Well, anytime I piss off my mom, or my mom pisses me off, we always prepare a secret dish we made together. And now I've clearly pissed you off, so I want to make it for you." He started washing and cutting vegetables.
Hikari looked surprised. "You would really do that for me? I thought you wanted to leave."
"I do have places to be, but I can't leave you sad. I just can't. So I'm gonna prepare you something while we have our date. I know the food I'm cooking wouldn't be up to your standards, but I hope you'll enjoy it," Sato said, continuing to cook.
"No, no, no," Hikari immediately countered. "As long as you're cooking for me, I'll eat it happily, no matter what it tastes like!"
Sato asked, "Why... like, why did you pick me? There were a hundred guys there better than me, but yet you chose me. Why is that?"
Hikari sat on a stool in the kitchen. "Well, I can't explain it myself, but I know it wasn't a mistake. It's like a crush, and I really want to be with you." Sato secretly blushed. Hikari, also blushing, continued, "So I'm really glad you didn't run away like the rest or leave me when I told you to go."
Sato smiled as he continued cooking.
"I still don't know your name," Hikari said, smiling slightly.
"I'm Tanaka Sato. There isn't much to know about me, except I attend Midorioka Academy."
Hikari was intrigued. "Wait, that's the name of your school? Which class?"
"I'm in Grade 11. Why ask?" Sato inquired.
Hikari smiled. "No reason." Then she asked, "What year were you born?"
Sato simply continued answering her questions. "2009, March 14."
Hikari giggled.
"What's so funny?" Sato asked.
"I'm June 8, 2008. I'm older than you!" Hikari said, holding back a laugh.
Sato frowned. "Yeah, well, it's just by a year, no big deal."
Hikari blushed, then pressed herself against Sato's back and whispered, "I still love you."
Feeling flustered, Sato immediately tried to change the subject by dishing the food. He turned around and served her. "Here you go, our special flavor curry and rice."
Hikari sniffed the air. "It smells great!" She took a bite, her expression like she was in paradise. "This dish is amazing, I love it!" She stared at Sato's finger. "Umm, you got sauce on your hand."
Sato realized, "Oh, it must have gotten there as I was dishing the curry. I'll—" But before he could continue, Hikari grabbed his hand and put his fingers in her mouth, leaving Sato in shock.